Linux kernel 5.16 was released at the beginning of this year; on January 10th. It brought some cool features such as futex_waitv() kernel system call from Collabora for a better gaming experience. In addition, KFENCE support for PA-RISC architecture has arrived with the Linux kernel 5.16, as well as broader ARM devices support.
It is time to move on
Keeping using an end-of-life status Linux kernel version might cause security issues in the future
Many of the Linux distributions have upgraded their kernel version to 5.16, then moved on to 5.17. Linux kernel 5.17 is currently the latest stable version as Linus Torvalds has already begun developing the 5.18 version. Now, it is time to say goodbye to Linux kernel 5.16 since it has reached its end-of-life status. This means, 5.16 will no longer get maintenance updates and will be vulnerable to future security issues.
Updating the Linux kernel alone is not a very simple task so you might want just stick to distributions’ updates. Plenty of major distros have already updated their kernel to 5.17 or are stuck with 5.15 LTS. However, keep your eye on the updates; if the distribution you use does not offer an update from 5.16, you should consider moving to another distribution or manually updating the Linux kernel of your system.
FAQ
What is the most recent Linux kernel?
Currently, the most recent Linux kernel version is 6.1. The 6.2 version is expected to be released in the middle of February 2023.
How do you check the installed Linux kernel version?
You can check the Linux kernel version of your system with three different methods. You can simply use uname -r command to quickly check the Linux kernel version. You can also use cat /proc/version to check the version from a file. Installing the neofetch application is also an option to check the kernel version and it provides additional information about the other packages installed as well.
Can the Linux kernel be customized?
Yes, the Linux kernel can be customized. You can customize the Linux kernel by enabling or disabling specific options, and even adding new functionalities. But it’s a complicated process; you can check online guides about customizing the Linux kernel.
Is it legal to edit the Linux kernel?
Yes, it is legal to edit the Linux kernel since it is under General Public License.
Is the Linux kernel open source?
Yes, the Linux kernel is an open-source project.
Who developed the Linux kernel?
Linus Torvalds has developed and still developing the Linux kernel.
Does Linus Torvalds still work on Linux?
Yes, Linus Torvalds still works on developing the Linux kernel.
What is the Linux kernel written in?
Linux kernel code is written in the standard C programming language.